Really bad swollen feet

I posted this on another post (SWOLLEN FEET), but I find it incredibly helpful! Propping you entire leg up and putting a cool washcloth on you ankles work wonders.

I also noticed someone saying something that they went to sleep wiht their feet propped up and the swelling didn't go down till morning...I had the same problem...but mine lasted 3 DAYS! Finally on the third day I used one of the reading pillows for my feet and propped myself up on my back and put washcloths on my feet and when I woke up my feet were normal again!

On a side note...at my appointment 2 weeks ago..I gained 13 pounds in two weeks, i showed the doc my elephant feet and he said "Ohhh...I see". My last appointment was on Friday and I didn't gain any weight!! YIPEEE!

NO, I'M NOT PREGNANT AGAIN! Ticker is set to my Family Reunion in Wisconsin. (Big Packer's fan BTW)

MBSTRAUSSBabyPoints:8633
Posts: 198
4/15/06 6:53 P

I didn't have a problem with swollen feer & ankles until this week. It's been in the 90s. My diet is not different & I'm still drinking lots of water & exercising. I'm hoping the weather will cool off. At this point, I can only fit in flip flops. Luckily it's not as much an issue in the morning & I've been able to get regular shoes on for work. BUT, I was off yesterday (FRIDAY) & it's gotten worse the last two days. We'll see what happens come Monday.

Claudia's mama.

BABIGYRL102
Posts: 2353
3/31/06 12:36 P

NICKITA, dont be worried about the swelling unless it is acompanied by blured vision or if you see floaters..a bad headache that does not go away with rest and tylenol..And you may have elevated BP when you go to the doc, but then again you may not.My bp fluctuates.soo its hard to tell..I just know the sypmtoms because I had it with my 1st born and had to be induced..Your swelling sounds very normal..i have the same problem..at times i cannot see the bones in my ankle..lol..

Giavanna Rose was born on May 7, 2006
Isabella Aurora was born on September 23, 2008

Life is a canvas; throw as many colors as you can on it.

Please visit my website at www.stopsbs.net and make it a priority of telling all caregivers that it's never, never, never okay to shake an infant!

RAEANNEB
Posts: 1029
3/30/06 5:56 P

I just want to post this- not meant to scare anyone but to make sure you're aware of this...

My sister had incredibly bad swelling for the last 4 months or so of her pregnancy. She had elevated blood pressure around month 6 or so, but it went away, and they never noticed protein in her urine until the end when they decided she had preeclampsia. Anyway, her doctor was the same way as all of yours, telling her the swelling was normal and she should just drink more water, eat less salt, and keep her feet up as much as possible. So at week 37 my mom had to take her to the hospital because the swelling had gone all the way up her legs and into her butt and lower back. They decided then that she had preeclampsia and she had a c-section the next day. When they made the incision, there was a huge gush of liquid because of how swollen she was. Her baby had problems not related to anything with her and so he was transferred the night after he was born to a different hospital, and she was discharged the next day (2 days early) so that she could be with him. Anyway, she kept having swelling problems after he was born, and a few days later the doctors at Children's Hospital (where her baby was) told her she should go to a different hospital nearby and get checked out. She was readmitted to the hospital that night, they originally said she had congestive heart failure, due to the swelling, and then it was changed to post-partum cardiomyopathy, which I guess in short means that her heart wasn't functioning correctly due to the pressure that had been on it so long with the swelling. Her OB had seen her for a follow-up appt the same day she was admitted to the hospital, and said she was fine and the swelling would go away on its own. He would never have even suggested that there might be something wrong with her. Now she takes a high-blood pressure medication every day, and she saw a cardiologist who said the problem should resolve itself within 6 months. He was very surprised/concerned though that her OB had done nothing about the swelling and let this problem develop. It is a serious condition and women do die from it, because their doctors don't recognize it. And a lot of the time, the women who do get better are advised to never become pregnant again, because of the possible risk to their heart. I was shocked when I found out about her condition, because I have read constantly since becoming pregnant, and I never once read anything about this... Anyway, like I said in the beginning, this isn't meant to scare anyone, I just want everyone to be aware that this condition is out there. It only affects 1 in 1500 pregnant women, so chances are good that none of you will get it, but just be aware... If you start to have blood pressure issues too, don't let your doctor or midwife discount it, because that's what happened to my sister... Just because there wasn't protein in her urine, so it wasn't preeclampsia that whole time, they just let it go, and let her get more and more swollen...

On a different note to look forward to, she has lost about 85 lbs since she had her baby 6 weeks ago, because she had gained so much water weight...

Proud mama to Noah (5/14/06) and Faith (11/13/08) with gastroschisis. Due July 2011 with #3!
www.frugallynatural.org

JEN516
Posts: 7703
3/30/06 5:00 P

Nickita~you should have your doctor go to the UN...maybe he could give them a lesson on the correlation between the world's problems and your salt intake You crack me up...I just love reading your posts.

Hope your 'sasquatch' feet are feeling better soon...

Jen

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

JENNINWONDER
Posts: 1103
3/30/06 4:34 P

I'm in the exact same boat. I went to my doctor yesterday and I had gained 8 lbs. in three weeks. My feet and ankles have become mammoth in size! Yesterday my feet looked like blown up surgical gloves. I also have incredibly bad carpal tunnel in my right hand from the swelling, I can barely even sign my name with out my whole hand going numb and tingly. My doctor told me to cut way back on salt, cut out sodas completely, keep my feet elevated as much as possible, and try taking warm baths at night or if the weather is right get into the swimming pool. Last night I drank a whole lot of water (I got up 5 times to pee) and kept my feet up while I slept, and today my feet are a bit smaller, but still really swollen. My dh is making me stay in bed or on the couch now, he's actually become quite the drill sergeant!!

Jen

MNPRUITTBabyPoints:3368
Posts: 581
3/30/06 3:05 P

i just got back from the ob. i gained another 5lbs most likly water weight. she said we didn't have to worry about it since i don't have high blood pressure or protine in my urine. she did tell me to keep track of if and when i see spots and headaches since there are also symptoms. she doesn't think it's necessary for me to go part time yet.

I was just talking to some people at work about this and they even said if my feet get any bigger, they can't see how I can possible commute to and from the city every day. Early leave here I come!

I also did hear that this water weight will come off immediatley!

Giavanna Rose was born on May 7, 2006
Isabella Aurora was born on September 23, 2008

Life is a canvas; throw as many colors as you can on it.

Please visit my website at www.stopsbs.net and make it a priority of telling all caregivers that it's never, never, never okay to shake an infant!

BYGRACE
Posts: 742
3/30/06 2:29 P

I just heard back from the nurse. She, too said it was "normal"... to drink lots of water, cut back on salt, yada yada. Like I'm not doing that. She said as long as I'm not seeing spots or having severe headaches, that I am okay. I can only wear flip flops or my running shoes very loosely tied. None of my other shoes fit me. I haven't worn my wedding ring for months now.

I guess in just a month or so our extra water will leave us with baby's arrival. I'm trying to hold on to that... but I feel like such a whale!!!

Tammy
Mom to Liam 4.29.06
Baby #2 1.28.08

CKIFILLBabyPoints:3774
Posts: 1251
3/30/06 2:19 P

ANd by the way, I was thinking of working till the end, but heard severe swelling, not associated with preeclampsia, is a ticket for early leave. Keep mentioning this to the doctor. Keep track of what you eat everyday to take to your next appt.

I am having the exact same problem. I have to put my shoes on outside in the mornings because my apt is too hot. My doctor told me to eat lots of cucumber and keep drinking water. I too don't think this is normal, but she said it is. Even my hands are swolle, but never my face. I don't eat much salt, and I drink water all day long. I have a desk job, and I think this contributes to the swelling. I can't put my feet up because if the way the desk is positioned. THe swelling was so bad last night I just sat in bed with pillows under them. It didn't go down till this morning.

Remeber to drink lost of fluids.....drinking more will flush your system! It is really important to not cut back on your fluids!

Also, heel raises, walking around a bit (if you have a seditary job) or if possible elevating your feet as well as getting a massage of your calfs (pushing fluid towards your heart not your toes) may help some!

Carter born June 1st, 2006

#2 due August 15th, 2008

KJMAMA
Posts: 592
3/30/06 1:57 P

My hands have been swollen for a while too - carpal tunnel has set in so bad I don't have any feeling in my fingertips and sometimes my palms. I keep complaining to my midwife and she always says, and I quote, "after you pee out all that water weight everything will go back to normal". If your hands and face both swell suddenly, like overnight, definitely go in and just have them check your blood pressure though.

Edited by: KJMAMA at: 3/30/2006 (13:57)

BYGRACE
Posts: 742
3/30/06 1:53 P

What did your doc say Nickita? I have been having pretty bad swelling too, and now my hands seem to be swelling as well. I have left 2 messages with my doctor- so hopefully I will hear from him soon!

Tammy
Mom to Liam 4.29.06
Baby #2 1.28.08

VEGASBABY1
Posts: 5783
3/29/06 12:09 P

I have a desk job too and my back and tailbone always seem sore lately. I try putting my feet up under my desk but nothing seems to work lately.

BABYFORUS
Posts: 160
3/29/06 11:34 A

All of a sudden in the last 2 weeks my feet and hands are very swollen too. It stinks! I put my feet up at work under my desk as much as I can but nothing seems to help. I was told today that watermelon is a natural diuretic and also to drink hot water with lemon. I'll try that next. I'm so bummed becuse I was gloating about not swelling the first two trimesters.

Matthew James born 5/15/06 8lb 3oz 19 inches

NICKITA
Posts: 6532
3/29/06 11:26 A

Do you have a desk job?? I've heard sitting all day is worse. I'm wondering if I should take my leave earlier just because by the end of the day, my legs are sore and my back is sore from sitting all day.

Giavanna Rose was born on May 7, 2006
Isabella Aurora was born on September 23, 2008

Life is a canvas; throw as many colors as you can on it.

Please visit my website at www.stopsbs.net and make it a priority of telling all caregivers that it's never, never, never okay to shake an infant!

KJMAMA
Posts: 592
3/29/06 11:12 A

Eat salt if you like salt, it sounds like your doctor is stuck in 1973. Unfortunately swollen feet and ankles are a reality for us now, and the only real thing you can do is get off of them, but if you're like me and at work, that's not always a possibility. Drink as much water as you can (and I suppose don't go nuts with salty foods), get your feet up every chance you have, and hang in there :)

VEGASBABY1
Posts: 5783
3/29/06 11:05 A

My Doctor told me this is normal. He said at this point, it almost doesn't matter how much you cut back on salt, you're just going to swell up. I'm not wearing any of my normal shoes either!! Every night it looks like I have two broken ankles because of the swelling.

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